New H1N1 virus strain appears in S'pore

fsDouglasLee SG

Just heard over the radio that the swine flu has struck again, in Singapore and Australia.
Practice good hygiene. If fever doesn’t go away, go see a doc.
The usual common sense precautions are enough.

QX179R SG

SINGAPORE: WHO researchers say the H1N1 flu virus that swept the globe in 2009 has mutated, with the new strain appearing in Singapore and Australia.

The new virus has a genetic twist, making it resistant to drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza, the two mainstay drugs used to tackle the virus.

The World Health Organisation's influenza research group says more than 10 percent of H1N1 flu infection samples from Singapore, collected during the early months this year, showed mildly reduced sensitivity to the two drugs.

The new variation of the virus has also mixed with the old form in at least one patient.

Researchers say it proved extremely resistant to Tamiflu, and the patient, who already had a weakened immune system, died.

But lab tests showed the experimental flu drug peramivir remains an effective treatment against the virus.

The new variant has also been detected in other parts of Asia-Pacific, according to a report by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne.

It is feared that if this new form of flu spreads, other mutations may occur and trigger even greater drug resistance and more serious illness.

- CNA/ir

QX179R SG

New H1N1 strain can be treated with mainstay drugs, says MOH, A*Star

SINGAPORE: The Health Ministry and government research agency A*Star said the new H1N1 strain can still be treated with mainstay drugs.

The new strain has a rare-occurring mutation that causes it to be mildly resistant to Tamiflu. And when mixed with a more common Tamiflu-resistant mutation, the variant leads to a much stronger reduction in drug sensitivity.

But the MOH and A*Star has said the new strain can still be effectively treated with drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza. They said most people with the flu will make a full recovery without the need for antiviral drugs.

And the Ministry has advised those who are at a higher risk of complications, to get vaccinated against the flu annually. They include the elderly, young children and those with chronic heart and respiratory diseases.

The authorities said Singapore is at the cross-roads between the northern and southern hemispheres, and as a result, has year-round circulations of influenza viruses. As such they would continue to monitor the virus for further changes.

The new variant was discovered in Singapore and Australia by the World Health Organisation's Influenza Collaborating Centre and Singapore's National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and A*STAR's Bioinformatics Institute (BII).

-CNA/ac

Jiani SG

great.